Wednesday, February 27, 2013

It’s Valentine’s first full-time gig since he managed the Red Sox to a 93-loss season last year and was the focus of a player mutiny. At his introductory press conference Tuesday, Valentine continued to take the bait when asked about his time with the Sox.

“I thought I did a hell of a job in Boston,” he said. “I thought what had to be done there was done except for winning a pennant. But Connie Mack wasn’t going to win with that team. “It’s six months of a 62-year life. It’s six months of a 42-year career in baseball. It’s a blip, a little spot on the radar, as far as I’m concerned.”

This is hardly the first time Valentine has spouted off about his time with in Boston; it isn’t even the first time this week. On Monday, Valentine was asked by Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley about some veiled shots that designated hitter David Ortiz and other Red Sox have taken in spring training.

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Not even as he starts the next chapter in his life as the new athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
It’s Valentine’s first full-time gig since he managed the Red Sox to a 93-loss season last year and was the focus of a player mutiny. At his introductory press conference Tuesday, Valentine continued to take the bait when asked about his time with the Sox.

...

On Monday, Valentine was asked by Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley about some veiled shots that designated hitter David Ortiz and other Red Sox have taken in spring training.

a : a place or state of misery, torment, or wickedness <war is hell — W. T. Sherman>
b : a place or state of turmoil or destruction <all hell broke loose>
c : a severe scolding; also : flak, grief <gave me hell for coming in late>
d : unrestrained fun or sportiveness <the kids were full of hell> —often used in the phrase for the hell of it especially to suggest action on impulse or without a serious motive <decided to go for the hell of it>
e : an extremely unpleasant and often inescapable situation <rush-hour hell>

I see at least 3 definitions under which Valentine's comment is totally accurate.

Bobby Valentine amazes me. I can't quite grok the level of self confidence that he possesses.

He presided over, and contributed greatly to, one of the most epic squanderings of talent ever seen in sports. He did this both by feuding with his players and making terrible tactical decisions.

If I saw these quotes:

"I think I did a hell of a job in the outfield last year. I know I deserve a gold glove." - Adam Dunn

"I know I'm one of the best hitters in this game. In late innings, runners on base in a tight game, I'm the guy you want at the plate" - Brendan Ryan

"When it comes to power pitching, I'm the best there is, best there ever was, best there ever will be. Every time I take the mound, I think the other team will be lucky if they can manage a single hit" - Jamie Moyer

Then I'd know Bobby had an equal when it comes to self-confidence that is completely divorced from self-awareness.

Connie Mack probably isn't the best comparison. Sure he's won more games than any other manager in history but he's had some terrible success with bad teams, ten 100-loss seasons, and an overall losing record for his career.